Method and combination for installing a liner within a service pipe transversely connected to a main pipe

Abstract

An apparatus for installing a liner within a service pipe having an access end and a terminal end wherein the terminal end is transversely connected to a main pipe for allowing fluid to flow therebetween. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member having a leading end and a trailing end. The leading end includes a flexible retainer secured thereto for being positioned within the main pipe proximate the service pipe terminal end. The flexible tubular member is impregnated with a thermosetting resin which cures after the flexible tubular member is positioned within the service pipe. Guiding and forcing members are provided for positioning the flexible tubular member within the service pipe such that the flexible retainer is seated within the main pipe proximate the service pipe terminal end and the trailing end is positioned proximate the service pipe access end. An inverted flexible tubular conduit is positioned within the flexible tubular member and filled with a fluid for forcing the flexible tubular member radially outwardly into engagement with the service pipe and for aiding the curing of the resin.

We claim: 
     
       1. A combination liner and apparatus for installing the liner within a service pipe having a first inner diameter, an access end and a terminal end wherein the terminal end is transversely connected to a main pipe for allowing fluid to flow therebetween, the main pipe having a second inner diameter, the combination comprising: a liner in the form of a flexible tubular member having a leading end and a trailing end, said leading end including a flexible retainer secured thereto for being positioned within said main pipe proximate said service pipe terminal end, said flexible retainer being generally annular and having an outer diameter which is greater than the first inner diameter of the service pipe for securing said leading end within said main pipe proximate said service pipe terminal end, a portion of said leading end of said flexible tubular member being rolled over said flexible retainer to secure said flexible retainer to said leading end of said flexible tubular member, said flexible tubular member being impregnated with a thermosetting resin which cures after said flexible tubular member is positioned within said service pipe;   installing means for positioning said flexible tubular member within said service pipe such that said flexible retainer is seated within said main pipe proximate said service pipe terminal end and said trailing end is positioned proximate said service pipe access end, said installing means includes a guide member releasably secured to the leading end of said flexible tubular member for guiding said flexible tubular member leading end through said service pipe access end and through said service pipe terminal end such that the flexible retainer is positioned within said main pipe; and   curing means positioned within said flexible tubular member for forcing said flexible tubular member radially outwardly into engagement with said service pipe and for aiding the curing of said resin whereby said service pipe is lined with said flexible tubular member.   
     
     
       2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said installing means further includes a pull member releasably secured to said trailing end of said flexible tubular member for pulling said trailing end toward said service pipe access end to thereby pull said flexible tubular member taut within said service pipe with said flexible retainer seated within said main pipe proximate said service pipe terminal end. 
     
     
       3. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said curing means includes a flexible conduit positioned within said flexible tubular member and means for filling said flexible conduit with a fluid for forcing said flexible tubular member outwardly into engagement with said service pipe and for curing said resin. 
     
     
       4. The combination as recited in claim 3, wherein the fluid is selected from a group consisting of water, air and both water and air. 
     
     
       5. A method of installing a liner within a service pipe having a first inner diameter, an access end and a terminal end wherein the terminal end is transversely connected to a main pipe having a flow therebetween, the main pipe having a second diameter, said method comprising the steps of: providing a flexible tubular member having a leading end and a trailing end;   rolling a portion of said leading end of said flexible tubular member over a flexible retainer to secure said flexible retainer to said leading end of said flexible tubular member;   impregnating said flexible tubular member with a thermosetting resin which cures after said flexible tubular member is positioned within said service pipe;   guiding said flexible tubular member leading end through said service pipe access end and then through said service pipe terminal end such that said flexible retainer is positioned within said main pipe;   pulling said flexible tubular member trailing end toward said service pipe access end, such that the flexible retainer seats within said main pipe proximate said service pipe terminal end and said flexible tubular member is taut within said service pipe;   forcing said flexible tubular member radially outwardly into engagement with said service pipe; and   curing said thermosetting resin whereby said service pipe is lined with said flexible tubular member.   
     
     
       6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the step of forcing the flexible tubular member radially outwardly into engagement with said service pipe comprises the steps of: positioning a flexible tubular conduit within said flexible tubular member; and   filling said flexible tubular conduit with a fluid for forcing said flexible fabric tubular member outwardly.   
     
     
       7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the step of curing said resin comprises the steps of: filling said flexible tubular conduit with a heated fluid for aiding in the curing of said resin.